Deacetylase inhibitors and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The inventive compounds are useful as deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., histone deacetylase inhibitors) and may be useful in the treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancer. In particular, the inventive compounds are HDAC6 inhibitors. The invention also provide synthetic methods for preparing the inventive compounds.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of international PCT application, PCT/US2009/004235, filed Jul. 22, 2009, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 61/082,899, filed Jul. 23, 2008, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The identification of small organic molecules that affect specific biological functions is an endeavor that impacts both biology and medicine. Such molecules are useful as therapeutic agents and as probes of biological function. In but one example from the emerging field of chemical genetics, in which small molecules are used to alter the function of biological molecules to which they bind, these molecules have been useful at elucidating signal transduction pathways by acting as chemical protein knockouts, thereby causing a loss of protein function (Schreiber et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1990, 112, 5583; Mitchison, Chem. and Biol., 1994, 1, 3). Additionally, due to the interaction of these small molecules with particular biological targets and their ability to affect specific biological function, they may also serve as candidates for the development of therapeutics.

One biological target of particular interest lately is histone deacetylase (see, for example, a discussion of the use of inhibitors of histone deacetylases for the treatment of cancer: Marks et al. Nature Reviews Cancer 2001, 1, 194; Johnstone et al. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2002, 1, 287; see also U.S. Pat. No. 7,250,504; U.S. Pat. No. 6,777,217; U.S. Published Application 2005/0287629; each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Post-translational modification of proteins through acetylation and deacetylation of lysine residues plays a critical role in regulating cellular functions. HDACs are zinc hydrolases that modulate gene expression through deacetylation of the N-acetyl-lysine residues of histone proteins and other transcriptional regulators (Hassig et al. Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 1997, 1, 300-308). HDACs participate in cellular pathways that control cell shape and differentiation, and at least one HDAC inhibitor has been shown effective in treating an otherwise recalcitrant cancer (Warrell et al. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 1998, 90, 1621-1625). Eleven human HDACs, which use Zn as a cofactor, have been characterized (Taunton et al. Science 1996, 272, 408-411; Yang et al. J. Biol. Chem. 1997, 272, 28001-28007; Grozinger et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1999, 96, 4868-4873; Kao et al. Genes Dev. 2000, 14, 55-66; Hu et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2000, 275, 15254-15264; Zhou et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2001, 98, 10572-10577; Venter et al. Science 2001, 291, 1304-1351). These members fall into three related classes (class I, II and III). An additional seven HDACs have been identified which use NAD as a co-factor.

There remains a need for more potent and/or more specific deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., HDAC inhibitors) for treating diseases associated with aberrant deacetylase activity such as cancer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel deacetylase inhibitors and methods of preparing and using these novel compounds. In certain embodiments, the deacetylase inhibitors are histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the deacetylase inhibitors are tubulin deacetylase (TDAC) inhibitors. The inventive compound may be useful in the treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancer.

For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula (I),

wherein R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, m, n, k, and p are as defined herein. In certain embodiments, m, k, and p are 0. In certain embodiments, n is 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. In certain embodiments, R² is a metal chelating moiety. In certain embodiments, R² is a Zn²⁺ chelating group. In certain embodiments, R² is an acyl moiety. In certain embodiments, R² is selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, the compound is of the formula:

The invention also provides various pharmaceutically acceptable forms of the inventive compounds, for examples, stereoisomers, enantionmers, tautomers, salts, solvates, hydrates, co-crystals, and polymorphs.

In another aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is useful in the treatment of a proliferative disease such as cancer.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting deacetylase activity in a subject or a biological sample, comprising administering to said subject, or contacting said biological sample, with an amount of a compound of the invention effective to inhibit deacetylase activity in the subject or biological sample. In certain embodiments, the method is used to specifically inhibit histone deacetylase activity in the subject or biological sample. In certain embodiments, the method is used to specifically inhibit a particular histone deacetylase activity in the subject or biological sample. In certain embodiments, the compounds specifically inhibit a particular HDAC (e.g., HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC8, HDAC9, HDAC10, HDAC11) or class of HDACs (e.g., Class I, II and/or III). In certain embodiments, the inventive compound specifically inhibits HDAC6. In certain embodiments, the method is used to specifically inhibit tubulin deacetylase activity in a subject or a biological sample.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a proliferative disease (e.g., cancer, benign neoplasm, autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease, diabetic retinopathy) comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) to a subject with a proliferative disease. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer (e.g., such as effecting tumor cell death or inhibiting the growth of tumor cells) by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) to a subject in need thereof. Exemplary cancer include, but are not limited to, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon and rectal cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, and gastric cancer. In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds are active against leukemia cells and melanoma cells, and thus are useful for the treatment of leukemias (e.g., myeloid, lymphocytic, myelocytic and lymphoblastic leukemias) and malignant melanomas. In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds are useful in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The compounds may be administered by any method known in the art. In certain embodiments, the compounds are administered orally or parenterally (e.g., by intravenous, intrarterial, intramuscular, and/or subcutaneous injection).

The inventive compounds are also useful as tools to probe biological function. The compounds may be used to probe gene expression or to elucidate biological pathways. In certain embodiments, the compounds are used as probes of signal transduction pathways.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods for preparing compounds of the invention and intermediates thereof. Such methods comprise reacting an aldehyde-containing compound with a hydrazide-containing compound to provide a compound of formula (I).

DEFINITIONS

Definitions of specific functional groups and chemical terms are described in more detail below. For purposes of this invention, the chemical elements are identified in accordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75^(th) Ed., inside cover, and specific functional groups are generally defined as described therein. Additionally, general principles of organic chemistry, as well as specific functional moieties and reactivity, are described in Organic Chemistry, Thomas Sorrell, University Science Books, Sausalito, 1999; Smith and March March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, 5^(th) Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2001; Larock, Comprehensive Organic Transformations, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, 1989; Carruthers, Some Modern Methods of Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1987; the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It will be appreciated that the compounds, as described herein, may be substituted with any number of substituents or functional moieties. In general, the term “substituted” whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, and substituents contained in formulas of this invention, refer to the replacement of hydrogen radicals in a given structure with the radical of a specified substituent. When more than one position in any given structure may be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the same or different at every position. As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic, aliphatic and heteroaliphatic, carbon and heteroatom substituents of organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valencies of the heteroatoms. Furthermore, this invention is not intended to be limited in any manner by the permissible substituents of organic compounds. Combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this invention are preferably those that result in the formation of stable compounds useful in the treatment, for example of proliferative diseases, including, but not limited to cancer. The term “stable”, as used herein, preferably refers to compounds which possess stability sufficient to allow manufacture and which maintain the integrity of the compound for a sufficient period of time to be detected and preferably for a sufficient period of time to be useful for the purposes detailed herein.

Certain compounds of the present invention can comprise one or more asymmetric centers, and thus can exist in various isomeric forms, e.g., stereoisomers and/or diastereomers. Thus, inventive compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be in the form of an individual enantiomer, diastereomer or geometric isomer, or may be in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are enantiopure compounds. In certain other embodiments, mixtures of stereoisomers or diastereomers are provided.

Furthermore, certain compounds, as described herein may have one or more double bonds that can exist as either the Z or E isomer, unless otherwise indicated. The invention additionally encompasses the compounds as individual isomers substantially free of other isomers and alternatively, as mixtures of various isomers, e.g., racemic mixtures of stereoisomers. In addition to the above-mentioned compounds per se, this invention also encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives of these compounds and compositions comprising one or more compounds.

Where a particular enantiomer is desired, it may, in some embodiments be provided substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer, and may also be referred to as “optically enriched.” “Optically enriched,” as used herein, means that the compound is made up of a significantly greater proportion of one enantiomer. In certain embodiments the compound is made up of at least about 90% by weight of a preferred enantiomer. In other embodiments the compound is made up of at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% by weight of a desired enantiomer. Preferred enantiomers may be isolated from racemic mixtures by any method known to those skilled in the art, including chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the formation and crystallization of chiral salts or prepared by asymmetric syntheses. See, for example, Jacques et al., Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions (Wiley Interscience, New York, 1981); Wilen et al., Tetrahedron 33:2725 (1977); Eliel, Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds (McGraw-Hill, NY, 1962); Wilen, Tables of Resolving Agents and Optical Resolutions p. 268 (E. L. Eliel, Ed., Univ. of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Ind. 1972).

The term “acyl”, as used herein, refers to a carbonyl-containing functionality, e.g., —C(═O)R′, wherein R′ is an aliphatic, alycyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, (aliphatic)aryl, (heteroaliphatic)aryl, heteroaliphatic(aryl) or heteroaliphatic(heteroaryl) moiety, whereby each of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moieties is substituted or unsubstituted, or is a substituted (e.g., hydrogen or aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moieties) oxygen or nitrogen containing functionality (e.g., forming a carboxylic acid, ester, or amide functionality).

The term “aliphatic”, as used herein, includes both saturated and unsaturated, straight chain (i.e., unbranched) or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are optionally substituted with one or more functional groups. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, “aliphatic” is intended herein to include, but is not limited to, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl moieties. Thus, as used herein, the term “alkyl” includes straight and branched alkyl groups. An analogous convention applies to other generic terms such as “alkenyl”, “alkynyl” and the like. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “alkyl”, “alkenyl”, “alkynyl” and the like encompass both substituted and unsubstituted groups. In certain embodiments, as used herein, “lower alkyl” is used to indicate those alkyl groups (substituted, unsubstituted, branched or unbranched) having 1-6 carbon atoms.

In certain embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-4 carbon atoms. Illustrative aliphatic groups thus include, but are not limited to, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, allyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, isopentyl, tert-pentyl, n-hexyl, sec-hexyl, moieties and the like, which again, may bear one or more substituents. Alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, 1-methyl-2-buten-1-yl, and the like. Representative alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, 2-propynyl (propargyl), 1-propynyl, and the like.

The term “alicyclic”, as used herein, refers to compounds which combine the properties of aliphatic and cyclic compounds and include but are not limited to cyclic, or polycyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons and bridged cycloalkyl compounds, which are optionally substituted with one or more functional groups. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, “alicyclic” is intended herein to include, but is not limited to, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, and cycloalkynyl moieties, which are optionally substituted with one or more functional groups. Illustrative alicyclic groups thus include, but are not limited to, for example, cyclopropyl, —CH₂-cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, —CH₂-cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, —CH₂-cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, —CH₂-cyclohexyl, cyclohexenylethyl, cyclohexanylethyl, norbornyl moieties and the like, which again, may bear one or more substituents.

The term “alkoxy” (or “alkyloxy”), or “thioalkyl” as used herein refers to an alkyl group, as previously defined, attached to the parent molecular moiety through an oxygen atom or through a sulfur atom. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Examples of alkoxy, include but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, neopentoxy and n-hexoxy. Examples of thioalkyl include, but are not limited to, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, n-butylthio, and the like.

The term “alkylamino” refers to a group having the structure —NHR′ wherein R′ is alkyl, as defined herein. The term “aminoalkyl” refers to a group having the structure NH₂R′—, wherein R′ is alkyl, as defined herein. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Examples of alkylamino include, but are not limited to, methylamino, ethylamino, iso-propylamino and the like.

Some examples of substituents of the above-described aliphatic (and other) moieties of compounds of the invention include, but are not limited to aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, alycyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

In general, the term “aryl”, as used herein, refers to a stable mono- or polycyclic, unsaturated moiety having preferably 3-14 carbon atoms, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted. In certain embodiments, the term “aryl” refers to a planar ring having p-orbitals perpendicular to the plane of the ring at each ring atom and satisfying the Huckel rule where the number of pi electrons in the ring is (4n+2) wherein n is an integer. A mono- or polycyclic, unsaturated moiety that does not satisfy one or all of these criteria for aromaticity is defined herein as “non-aromatic”, and is encompassed by the term “alicyclic”.

In general, the term “heteroaryl”, as used herein, refers to a stable mono- or polycyclic, unsaturated moiety having preferably 3-14 carbon atoms, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted; and comprising at least one heteroatom selected from O, S, and N within the ring (i.e., in place of a ring carbon atom). In certain embodiments, the term “heteroaryl” refers to a planar ring comprising at least one heteroatom, having p-orbitals perpendicular to the plane of the ring at each ring atom, and satisfying the Huckel rule where the number of pi electrons in the ring is (4n+2) wherein n is an integer.

It will also be appreciated that aryl and heteroaryl moieties, as defined herein may be attached via an alkyl or heteroalkyl moiety and thus also include -(alkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl) heteroaryl, and -(heteroalkyl)heteroaryl moieties. Thus, as used herein, the phrases “aryl or heteroaryl moieties” and “aryl, heteroaryl, -(alkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl) heteroaryl, and -(heteroalkyl)heteroaryl” are interchangeable. Substituents include, but are not limited to, any of the previously mentioned substituents, i.e., the substituents recited for aliphatic moieties, or for other moieties as disclosed herein, resulting in the formation of a stable compound.

The term “aryl”, as used herein, does not differ significantly from the common meaning of the term in the art, and refers to an unsaturated cyclic moiety comprising at least one aromatic ring. In certain embodiments, “aryl” refers to a mono- or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic rings including, but not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, indenyl and the like.

The term “heteroaryl”, as used herein, does not differ significantly from the common meaning of the term in the art, and refers to a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O and N; zero, one or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon, the radical being joined to the rest of the molecule via any of the ring atoms, such as, for example, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isooxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and the like.

It will be appreciated that aryl and heteroaryl groups (including bicyclic aryl groups) can be unsubstituted or substituted, wherein substitution includes replacement of one or more of the hydrogen atoms thereon independently with any one or more of the following moieties including, but not limited to: aliphatic; alicyclic; heteroaliphatic; heterocyclic; aromatic; heteroaromatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl; heteroalkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; heteroalkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)R_(x); —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, heteroalkylaryl or heteroalkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein any of the aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl, heteroaryl, -(alkyl)aryl or -(alkyl)heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additionally, it will be appreciated, that any two adjacent groups taken together may represent a 4, 5, 6, or 7-membered substituted or unsubstituted alicyclic or heterocyclic moiety. Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specific embodiments described herein.

The term “cycloalkyl”, as used herein, refers specifically to groups having three to seven, preferably three to ten carbon atoms. Suitable cycloalkyls include, but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like, which, as in the case of aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic or heterocyclic moieties, may optionally be substituted with substituents including, but not limited to aliphatic; alicyclic; heteroaliphatic; heterocyclic; aromatic; heteroaromatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl; heteroalkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; heteroalkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, heteroalkylaryl or heteroalkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein any of the aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

The term “heteroaliphatic”, as used herein, refers to aliphatic moieties in which one or more carbon atoms in the main chain have been substituted with a heteroatom. Thus, a heteroaliphatic group refers to an aliphatic chain which contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms, e.g., in place of carbon atoms. Heteroaliphatic moieties may be linear or branched, and saturated or unsaturated. In certain embodiments, heteroaliphatic moieties are substituted by independent replacement of one or more of the hydrogen atoms thereon with one or more moieties including, but not limited to aliphatic; alicyclic; heteroaliphatic; heterocyclic; aromatic; heteroaromatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, heteroalkylaryl or heteroalkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein any of the aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specific embodiments described herein.

The term “heterocycloalkyl”, “heterocycle” or “heterocyclic”, as used herein, refers to compounds which combine the properties of heteroaliphatic and cyclic compounds and include, but are not limited to, saturated and unsaturated mono- or polycyclic cyclic ring systems having 5-16 atoms wherein at least one ring atom is a heteroatom selected from O, S and N (wherein the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be optionally be oxidized), wherein the ring systems are optionally substituted with one or more functional groups, as defined herein. In certain embodiments, the term “heterocycloalkyl”, “heterocycle” or “heterocyclic” refers to a non-aromatic 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring or a polycyclic group wherein at least one ring atom is a heteroatom selected from O, S, and N (wherein the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be optionally be oxidized), including, but not limited to, a bi- or tri-cyclic group, comprising fused six-membered rings having between one and three heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, wherein (i) each 5-membered ring has 0 to 2 double bonds, each 6-membered ring has 0 to 2 double bonds and each 7-membered ring has 0 to 3 double bonds, (ii) the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be optionally be oxidized, (iii) the nitrogen heteroatom may optionally be quaternized, and (iv) any of the above heterocyclic rings may be fused to an aryl or heteroaryl ring. Representative heterocycles include, but are not limited to, heterocycles such as furanyl, thiofuranyl, pyranyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolidinyl, isooxazolyl, isoxazolidinyl, dioxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, thiatriazolyl, oxatriazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, morpholinyl, thiazolyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, dithiazolyl, dithiazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, and benzofused derivatives thereof. In certain embodiments, a “substituted heterocycle, or heterocycloalkyl or heterocyclic” group is utilized and as used herein, refers to a heterocycle, or heterocycloalkyl or heterocyclic group, as defined above, substituted by the independent replacement of one, two or three of the hydrogen atoms thereon with, but are not limited to, aliphatic; alicyclic; heteroaliphatic; heterocyclic; aromatic; heteroaromatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl; heteroalkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; heteroalkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, heteroalkylaryl or heteroalkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein any of the aromatic, heteroaromatic, aryl or heteroaryl substitutents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples or generally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specific embodiments described herein.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that any of the alicyclic or heterocyclic moieties described above and herein may comprise an aryl or heteroaryl moiety fused thereto. Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specific embodiments described herein. The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein refer to an atom selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein refer to an atom selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term “haloalkyl” denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, having one, two, or three halogen atoms attached thereto and is exemplified by such groups as chloromethyl, bromoethyl, trifluoromethyl, and the like.

The term “amino”, as used herein, refers to a primary (—NH₂), secondary (—NHR_(x)), tertiary (—NR_(x)R_(y)), or quaternary (—N⁺R_(x)R_(y)R_(z)) amine, where R_(x), R_(y) and R_(z) are independently an aliphatic, alicyclic, heteroaliphatic, heterocyclic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, as defined herein. Examples of amino groups include, but are not limited to, methylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, diethylamino, diethylaminocarbonyl, methylethylamino, iso-propylamino, piperidino, trimethylamino, and propylamino.

The term “alkylidene”, as used herein, refers to a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched saturated divalent radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, having from one to n carbon atoms, having a free valence “—” at both ends of the radical. In certain embodiments, the alkylidene moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

The term “alkenylidene”, as used herein, refers to a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched unsaturated divalent radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, having from two to n carbon atoms, having a free valence “—” at both ends of the radical, and wherein the unsaturation is present only as double bonds and wherein a double bond can exist between the first carbon of the chain and the rest of the molecule. In certain embodiments, the alkenylidene moiety has 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

The term “alkynylidene”, as used herein, refers to a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched unsaturated divalent radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, having from two to n carbon atoms, having a free valence “—” at both ends of the radical, and wherein the unsaturation is present only as triple or double bonds and wherein a triple or double bond can exist between the first carbon of the chain and the rest of the molecule. In certain embodiments, the alkynylidene moiety has 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Unless otherwise indicated, as used herein, the terms “alkyl”, “alkenyl”, “alkynyl”, “heteroalkyl”, “heteroalkenyl”, “heteroalkynyl”, “alkylidene”, alkenylidene”, -(alkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl) aryl, -(heteroalkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl)heteroaryl, and the like encompass substituted and unsubstituted, and linear and branched groups. Similarly, the terms “aliphatic”, “heteroaliphatic”, and the like encompass substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated, and linear and branched groups. Similarly, the terms “cycloalkyl”, “heterocycle”, “heterocyclic”, and the like encompass substituted and unsubstituted, and saturated and unsaturated groups. Additionally, the terms “cycloalkenyl”, “cycloalkynyl”, “heterocycloalkenyl”, “heterocycloalkynyl”, “aromatic”, “heteroaromatic, “aryl”, “heteroaryl” and the like encompass both substituted and unsubstituted groups.

The phrase, “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative”, as used herein, denotes any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or salt of such ester, of such compound, or any other adduct or derivative which, upon administration to a patient, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) a compound as otherwise described herein, or a metabolite or residue thereof. Pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thus include among others pro-drugs. A pro-drug is a derivative of a compound, usually with significantly reduced pharmacological activity, which contains an additional moiety, which is susceptible to removal in vivo yielding the parent molecule as the pharmacologically active species. An example of a pro-drug is an ester, which is cleaved in vivo to yield a compound of interest. Pro-drugs of a variety of compounds, and materials and methods for derivatizing the parent compounds to create the pro-drugs, are known and may be adapted to the present invention. Pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives also include “reverse pro-drugs.” Reverse pro-drugs, rather than being activated, are inactivated upon absorption. For example, as discussed herein, many of the ester-containing compounds of the invention are biologically active but are inactivated upon exposure to certain physiological environments such as a blood, lymph, serum, extracellular fluid, etc. which contain esterase activity. The biological activity of reverse pro-drugs and pro-drugs may also be altered by appending a functionality onto the compound, which may be catalyzed by an enzyme. Also, included are oxidation and reduction reactions, including enzyme-catalyzed oxidation and reduction reactions. Certain exemplary pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives will be discussed in more detail herein below.

By the term “protecting group”, has used herein, it is meant that a particular functional moiety, e.g., O, S, or N, is temporarily blocked so that a reaction can be carried out selectively at another reactive site in a multifunctional compound. In preferred embodiments, a protecting group reacts selectively in good yield to give a protected substrate that is stable to the projected reactions; the protecting group must be selectively removed in good yield by readily available, preferably nontoxic reagents that do not attack the other functional groups; the protecting group forms an easily separable derivative (more preferably without the generation of new stereogenic centers); and the protecting group has a minimum of additional functionality to avoid further sites of reaction. As detailed herein, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and carbon protecting groups may be utilized. For example, in certain embodiments, as detailed herein, certain exemplary oxygen protecting groups are utilized. These oxygen protecting groups include, but are not limited to methyl ethers, substituted methyl ethers (e.g., MOM (methoxymethyl ether), MTM (methylthiomethyl ether), BOM (benzyloxymethyl ether), PMBM or MPM (p-methoxybenzyloxymethyl ether), to name a few), substituted ethyl ethers, substituted benzyl ethers, silyl ethers (e.g., TMS (trimethylsilyl ether), TES (triethylsilylether), TIPS (triisopropylsilyl ether), TBDMS (t-butyldimethylsilyl ether), tribenzyl silyl ether, TBDPS (t-butyldiphenyl silyl ether), to name a few), esters (e.g., formate, acetate, benzoate (Bz), trifluoroacetate, dichloroacetate, to name a few), carbonates, cyclic acetals and ketals. In certain other exemplary embodiments, nitrogen protecting groups are utilized. These nitrogen protecting groups include, but are not limited to, carbamates (including methyl, ethyl and substituted ethyl carbamates (e.g., Troc), to name a few) amides, cyclic imide derivatives, N-Alkyl and N-Aryl amines, imine derivatives, and enamine derivatives, to name a few. Certain other exemplary protecting groups are detailed herein, however, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be limited to these protecting groups; rather, a variety of additional equivalent protecting groups can be readily identified using the above criteria and utilized in the present invention. Additionally, a variety of protecting groups are described in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Third Ed. Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G., Eds., John Wiley & Sons, New York: 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to those salts which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. For example, S. M. Berge et al., describe pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1977, 66, 1-19, incorporated herein by reference. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include those derived from suitable inorganic and organic acids and bases. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the art such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and N⁺(C₁₋₄alkyl)₄ salts. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

Additionally, as used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable ester” refers to esters that hydrolyze in vivo and include those that break down readily in the human body to leave the parent compound or a salt thereof. Suitable ester groups include, for example, those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable aliphatic carboxylic acids, particularly alkanoic, alkenoic, cycloalkanoic and alkanedioic acids, in which each alkyl or alkenyl moiety advantageously has not more than 6 carbon atoms. Examples of particular esters include formates, acetates, propionates, butyrates, acrylates and ethylsuccinates.

Furthermore, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs” as used herein refers to those prodrugs of the compounds of the present invention which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the issues of humans and lower animals with undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, and the like, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, and effective for their intended use, as well as the zwitterionic forms, where possible, of the compounds of the invention. The term “prodrug” refers to compounds that are rapidly transformed in vivo to yield the parent compound of the above formula, for example by hydrolysis in blood. A thorough discussion is provided in T. Higuchi and V. Stella, Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems, Vol. 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series, and in Edward B. Roche, ed., Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, the term “tautomer” includes two or more interconvertable compounds resulting from at least one formal migration of a hydrogen atom and at least one change in valency (e.g., a single bond to a double bond, a triple bond to a single bond, or vice versa). The exact ratio of the tautomers depends on several factors, including temperature, solvent, and pH. Tautomerizations (i.e., the reaction providing a tautomeric pair) may catalyzed by acid or base. Exemplary tautomerizations include keto-to-enol; amide-to-imide; lactam-to-lactim; enamine-to-imine; and enamine-to-(a different) enamine tautomerizations.

As used herein, the term “isomers” includes any and all geometric isomers and stereoisomers. For example, “isomers” include cis- and trans-isomers, E- and Z-isomers, R- and S-enantiomers, diastereomers, (D)-isomers, (L)-isomers, racemic mixtures thereof, and other mixtures thereof, as falling within the scope of the invention. For instance, an isomer/enantiomer may, in some embodiments, be provided substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer, and may also be referred to as “optically enriched.” “Optically-enriched,” as used herein, means that the compound is made up of a significantly greater proportion of one enantiomer. In certain embodiments the compound of the present invention is made up of at least about 90% by weight of a preferred enantiomer. In other embodiments the compound is made up of at least about 95%, 98%, or 99% by weight of a preferred enantiomer. Preferred enantiomers may be isolated from racemic mixtures by any method known to those skilled in the art, including chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the formation and crystallization of chiral salts or prepared by asymmetric syntheses. See, for example, Jacques, et al., Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions (Wiley Interscience, New York, 1981); Wilen, S. H., et al., Tetrahedron 33:2725 (1977); Eliel, E. L. Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds (McGraw-Hill, NY, 1962); Wilen, S. H. Tables of Resolving Agents and Optical Resolutions p. 268 (E. L. Eliel, Ed., Univ. of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Ind. 1972).

“Compound”: The term “compound” or “chemical compound” as used herein can include organometallic compounds, organic compounds, metals, transitional metal complexes, and small molecules. In certain preferred embodiments, polynucleotides are excluded from the definition of compounds. In other preferred embodiments, polynucleotides and peptides are excluded from the definition of compounds. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the term compounds refers to small molecules (e.g., preferably, non-peptidic and non-oligomeric) and excludes peptides, polynucleotides, transition metal complexes, metals, and organometallic compounds.

“Small Molecule”: As used herein, the term “small molecule” refers to a non-peptidic, non-oligomeric organic compound either synthesized in the laboratory or found in nature. Small molecules, as used herein, can refer to compounds that are “natural product-like”, however, the term “small molecule” is not limited to “natural product-like” compounds. Rather, a small molecule is typically characterized in that it contains several carbon-carbon bonds, and has a molecular weight of less than 2000 g/mol, preferably less than 1500 g/mol, although this characterization is not intended to be limiting for the purposes of the present invention. Examples of “small molecules” that occur in nature include, but are not limited to, taxol, dynemicin, and rapamycin. Examples of “small molecules” that are synthesized in the laboratory include, but are not limited to, compounds described in Tan et al., (“Stereoselective Synthesis of over Two Million Compounds Having Structural Features Both Reminiscent of Natural Products and Compatible with Miniaturized Cell-Based Assays” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120:8565, 1998; incorporated herein by reference). In certain other preferred embodiments, natural-product-like small molecules are utilized.

“Metal chelator”: As used herein, the term “metal chelator” refers to any molecule or moiety that is is capable of forming a complex (i.e., “chelates”) with a metal ion. In certain exemplary embodiments, a metal chelator refers to to any molecule or moiety that “binds” to a metal ion, in solution, making it unavailable for use in chemical/enzymatic reactions. In certain embodiments, the solution comprises aqueous environments under physiological conditions. Examples of metal ions include, but are not limited to, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Na⁺, etc. In certain embodiments, the metal chelator binds Zn²⁺. In certain embodiments, molecules of moieties that precipitate metal ions are not considered to be metal chelators.

As used herein the term “biological sample” includes, without limitation, cell cultures or extracts thereof; biopsied material obtained from an animal (e.g., mammal) or extracts thereof; and blood, saliva, urine, feces, semen, tears, or other body fluids or extracts thereof. For example, the term “biological sample” refers to any solid or fluid sample obtained from, excreted by or secreted by any living organism, including single-celled micro-organisms (such as bacteria and yeasts) and multicellular organisms (such as plants and animals, for instance a vertebrate or a mammal, and in particular a healthy or apparently healthy human subject or a human subject affected by a condition or disease to be diagnosed or investigated).

The biological sample can be in any form, including a solid material such as a tissue, cells, a cell pellet, a cell extract, cell homogenates, or cell fractions; or a biopsy, or a biological fluid. The biological fluid may be obtained from any site (e.g., blood, saliva (or a mouth wash containing buccal cells), tears, plasma, serum, urine, bile, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, peritoneal fluid, and pleural fluid, or cells therefrom, aqueous or vitreous humor, or any bodily secretion), a transudate, an exudate (e.g. fluid obtained from an abscess or any other site of infection or inflammation), or fluid obtained from a joint (e.g. a normal joint or a joint affected by disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout or septic arthritis).

The biological sample can be obtained from any organ or tissue (including a biopsy or autopsy specimen) or may comprise cells (whether primary cells or cultured cells) or medium conditioned by any cell, tissue or organ. Biological samples may also include sections of tissues such as frozen sections taken for histological purposes. Biological samples also include mixtures of biological molecules including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids generated by partial or complete fractionation of cell or tissue homogenates. Although the sample is preferably taken from a human subject, biological samples may be from any animal, plant, bacteria, virus, yeast, etc. The term animal, as used herein, refers to humans as well as non-human animals, at any stage of development, including, for example, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, worms and single cells. Cell cultures and live tissue samples are considered to be pluralities of animals. In certain exemplary embodiments, the non-human animal is a mammal (e.g., a rodent, a mouse, a rat, a rabbit, a monkey, a dog, a cat, a sheep, cattle, a primate, or a pig). An animal may be a transgenic animal or a human clone. If desired, the biological sample may be subjected to preliminary processing, including preliminary separation techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Synthesis of an HDAC-biased library. The compounds of the library were prepared by conjugating an aldehyde-containing compound to a hydrazide-containing compound with a metal chelating moiety.

FIG. 2. High-throughput, high-content, quantitative detection method for identifying HDAC inhibitors. Cells are seeded in 384-well plates (2,000 cells/well) and treated with test compound, fixed, and then stained with Hoechst (nuclei), primary anti-AcTubulin monoclonal antibody and anti-AcHistone polyclonal antibody, then with compatible fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies. After automated image acquisition a custom analysis script identifies and masks cells, then derives quantitative fluorescence data from FITC (AcTubulin) and rhodamine (AcHistone) channels (MetaXPress; Molecular Devices).

FIG. 3. WT-161 Induction of AcTubulin (Red) and AcHistone (Blue) by HCS. As described in FIG. 2, the high content acetylation assay was employed to determine the comparative induction of acetylated histones versus acetylated tubulin across a dose-range of WT-161. These data support a selective inhibition of HDAC6 in cultured cells.

FIG. 4. Selective Inhibition of HDAC6 by WT-161 in a cellular assay. Dose-response data from FIG. 3 have been used to generate EC₅₀ values of cellular histone and tubulin acetylation effects of WT-161. These data are shown in comparison to experimental data acquired in parallel for control compounds, trichostatin and tubacin. HDAC activity is used to indicate biological activity of proteins mediating histone deacetylation, as this is a cellular assay measuring global effects on acetylation. TDAC activity is a surrogate measurement for HDAC6 inhibition in cultured cells.

FIG. 5. HDAC Biochemical Assay Schema. 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (7AMC) is linked by an amide bond to acetylated lysine in the context of an isoform-selective substate. Pictured here is a derived substrate for HDACs 1, 2, 3, and 6. HDAC hydrolyzes acetylated lysine, which is then a substrate for rapid trypsin digestion releasing 7AMC (shown in green) which is detected in real time by a fluorescence plate reader. Linear data captured after a pre-incubation phase (30 minutes) provides a kinetic assessment of deacetylase activity.

FIG. 6. Selective Inhibition of HDAC6 by WT-161 in a homogeneous assay. Robust assay for HDACs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 have been established. Inhibitory constants (K_(i)) for HDAC inhibitors are presented and color coded by potency (<10 nM=red; 11 nM-100 nM=yellow; 101-1000 nM=green; >1000 nM=blue). Inhibitory constants were determined by the equation K_(i)=[I]/(((V₀/V_(i))×(1+[S]/K_(m)))−([S]/K_(m))−1), where [I] is the concentration of inhibitor, [S] is the concentration of substrate, V₀ is the initial activity of enzyme without inhibitor, V_(i) is the activity of enzyme with inhibitor, and Km is the Michaelis constant. Potent inhibition of HDAC6 by WT-161 is boxed.

FIG. 7. Superior Synergy for the combination of WT-161 and bortezomib compared to other HDAC inhibitors. Synergistic effects on cell proliferation were determined by varying concentrations of each HDAC inhibitor in the presence of varied concentrations of the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. Two cultures of human multiple myeloma cells were used for this study. Data presented are the IC₅₀ data for the HDAC inhibitor studied (first column) in the presence of increasing concentrations of bortezomib (0, 2.5 nM, or 5.0 nM). The measurement of cell proliferation used is the Cell TiterGlo assay (Promega),which uses bioluminescence to report on ATP content in cultured cells. Among all HDAC inhibitors studied, the most pronounced synergy was observed with WT-161 and the HDAC6 inhibitor, tubacin, both shown in red (dose reduction indices greatest).

FIG. 8. Concentration-Time Curve of WT-161 in CD-1 mice following intravenous administration at 5 mg/kg. WT-161 was injected into recipient mice by tail vein injection. Triplicate measurements of drug concentration in plasma was determined by LCMS.

FIG. 9. Identification of WT-161 (shown in red) from primary screening data from large library of HDAC inhibitors based on acetylated tubulin and acetylated histone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel compounds of general formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compounds generally include a metal chelating moiety connected to a cap through a linker. See FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the deacetylase inhibitor is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. In certain particular embodiments, the deacetylase inhibitor is an HDAC6 inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the deacetylase inhibitor is a tubulin deacetylase (TDAC) inhibitor. The invention also provides methods for the synthesizing and using the inventive compounds. The compounds are useful as deacetylase inhibitors (e.g. HDAC inhibitors) and are useful in the treatment of proliferative diseases, such as cancer.

Compounds of the Invention

In general, the present invention provides compounds of the formula (I):

wherein

n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive;

m is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive;

k is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive;

p is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive;

R² is an optionally substituted acyl moiety

R₃ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —SO₂R_(C); —NO₂; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₄ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(D); —C(═O)R_(D); —CO₂R_(D); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(D); —SOR_(D); —SO₂R_(D); —NO₂; —N(R_(D))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(D); or —C(R_(D))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(D) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₅ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(E); —C(═O)R_(E); —CO₂R_(E); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(E); —SOR_(E); —SO₂R_(E); —NO₂; —N(R_(E))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(E); or —C(R_(E))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(E) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; and pharmaceutically acceptable forms thereof.

In certain embodiments, n is an integer between 1 to 8, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is an integer between 2 to 8, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is an integer between 4 to 8, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is an integer between 3 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is an integer between 4 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 3. In certain embodiments, n is 4. In certain embodiments, n is 5. In certain embodiments, n is 6. In certain embodiments, n is 7. In certain embodiments, n is 8.

In certain embodiments, m is 0. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In certain embodiments, m is 2. In certain embodiments, m is 3. In certain embodiments, m is 4.

In certain embodiments, k is 0. In certain embodiments, k is 1. In certain embodiments, k is 2. In certain embodiments, k is 3. In certain embodiments, k is 4.

In certain embodiments, p is 0. In certain embodiments, p is 1. In certain embodiments, p is 2. In certain embodiments, p is 3. In certain embodiments, p is 4.

In certain embodiments, all of m, k, and p are 0. In certain embodiments, the sum of m, k, and p is 1. In certain embodiments, the sum of m, k, and p is 2. In certain embodiments, the sum of m, k, and p is 3. In certain embodiments, the sum of m, k, and p is 4. In certain embodiments, the sum of m, k, and p is 5.

In certain embodiments, R₃ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₃ is halogen. In certain embodiments, R₃ is fluorine. In certain embodiments, R₃ is chlorine. In certain embodiments, R₃ is bromine. In certain embodiments, R₃ is iodine. In certain embodiments, cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic. In certain embodiments, R₃ is C₁-C₆alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is methyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is ethyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is propyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is butyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic. In certain embodiments, R₃ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —N(R_(C))₂. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —N(R_(C))₂, wherein R_(C) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —NHR_(C). In certain embodiments, R₃ is —NH₂. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —OR_(C), wherein R_(C) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain particular embodiments, R₃ is —OH. In certain particular embodiments, R₃ is —OMe. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —SR_(C), wherein R_(C) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain particular embodiments, R₃ is —SH. In certain particular embodiments, R₃ is —SMe. In certain embodiments, R₃ is branched or unbranched acyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)R_(C). In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)R_(C), wherein R_(C) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)CH₃. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)OR_(C). In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)OR_(C), wherein R_(C) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)N(R_(C))₂. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)NHR_(C). In certain embodiments, R₃ is —C(═O)NH₂. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —NHC(═O)R_(C). In certain embodiments, R₃ is —NHC(═O)R_(C), wherein R_(C) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —SOR_(C). In certain embodiments, R₃ is —SO₂R_(C). In certain embodiments, R₃ is —CN. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —SCN. In certain embodiments, R₃ is —NO₂.

In certain embodiments, R₄ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₄ is halogen. In certain embodiments, R₄ is fluorine. In certain embodiments, R₄ is chlorine. In certain embodiments, R₄ is bromine. In certain embodiments, R₄ is iodine. In certain embodiments, cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic. In certain embodiments, R₄ is C₁-C₆alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is methyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is ethyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is propyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is butyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic. In certain embodiments, R₄ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —N(R_(D))₂. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —N(R_(D))₂, wherein R_(D) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —NHR_(D). In certain embodiments, R₄ is —NH₂. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —OR_(D), wherein R_(D) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain particular embodiments, R₄ is —OH. In certain particular embodiments, R₄ is —OMe. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —SR_(D), wherein R_(D) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain particular embodiments, R₄ is —SH. In certain particular embodiments, R₄ is —SMe. In certain embodiments, R₄ is branched or unbranched acyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)R_(D). In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)R_(D), wherein R_(D) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)CH₃. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)OR_(D). In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)OR_(D), wherein R_(D) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)N(R_(D))₂. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)NHR_(D). In certain embodiments, R₄ is —C(═O)NH₂. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —NHC(═O)R_(D). In certain embodiments, R₄ is —NHC(═O)R_(D), wherein R_(D) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —SOR_(D). In certain embodiments, R₄ is —SO₂R_(D). In certain embodiments, R₄ is —CN. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —SCN. In certain embodiments, R₄ is —NO₂.

In certain embodiments, R₅ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₅ is halogen. In certain embodiments, R₅ is fluorine. In certain embodiments, R₅ is chlorine. In certain embodiments, R₅ is bromine. In certain embodiments, R₅ is iodine. In certain embodiments, cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic. In certain embodiments, R₅ is C₁-C₆alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is methyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is ethyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is propyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is butyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic. In certain embodiments, R₅ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —N(R_(E))₂. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —N(R_(E))₂, wherein R_(E) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —NHR_(E). In certain embodiments, R₅ is —NH₂. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —OR_(E), wherein R_(E) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain particular embodiments, R₅ is —OH. In certain particular embodiments, R₅ is —OMe. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —SR_(E), wherein R_(E) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain particular embodiments, R₅ is —SH. In certain particular embodiments, R₅ is —SMe. In certain embodiments, R₅ is branched or unbranched acyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)R_(E). In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)R_(E), wherein R_(E) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)CH₃. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)OR_(E). In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)OR_(E), wherein R_(E) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)N(R_(E))₂. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)NHR_(E). In certain embodiments, R₅ is —C(═O)NH₂. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —NHC(═O)R_(E). In certain embodiments, R₅ is —NHC(═O)R_(E), wherein R_(E) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —SOR_(E). In certain embodiments, R₅ is —SO₂R_(E). In certain embodiments, R₅ is —CN. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —SCN. In certain embodiments, R₅ is —NO₂.

As defined generally above, R² is an optionally substituted acyl moiety. In certain embodiments, R² is —C(═O)R^(A), wherein R^(A) is selected from —OR^(B) or —N(R^(C))₂, wherein R^(B) is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl moiety, and wherein R^(C) is hydrogen, —OH, an optionally substituted aryl moiety, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R² is the group —C(═O)R^(A), wherein R^(A) is —OR^(B), wherein R^(B) is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R² is —CO₂H.

In certain embodiments, R² is the group —C(═O)OR^(B), wherein R^(B) is an optionally substituted alkyl moiety. In certain embodiments, R² is —CO₂CH₃, —CO₂CH₂CH₃, —CO₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, or —CO₂CH(CH₃)₂. In certain embodiments, R² is —CO₂CH₃.

In certain embodiments, R² is the group —C(═O)R^(A), wherein R^(A) is —N(R^(C))₂, and wherein R^(C) is hydrogen, —OH, an optionally substituted aryl moiety, or optionally substituted heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R² is the group —C(═O)R^(A), wherein R^(A) is —NHR^(C), and wherein R^(C) is —OH, an optionally substituted aryl moiety, or optionally substituted heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R² is —C(═O)NHOH.

In certain embodiments, R² is the group —C(═O)NHR^(C), wherein R^(c) is an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R² is the group —C(═O)NHR^(c), wherein R^(c) an optionally substituted aryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R² is the group —C(═O)NHR^(C), wherein R^(C) an aryl moiety of the structure:

In certain embodiments, R² comprises a metal chelating functional group. For example, R² comprises a Zn²⁺ chelating group. In certain embodiments, R² is selected any one one of the following structures:

In certain embodiments, R² is of the formula:

In certain embodiments, R² is of the formula:

In certain embodiments, R² is of the formula:

In certain embodiments, R² is of the formula:

For example, in certain embodiments, a compound of formula (I) is selected from any one of the following compounds, wherein n is 4, 5, 6, or 7:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof. In certain embodiments, n is 4. In certain embodiments, n is 5. In certain embodiments, n is 6. In certain embodiments, n is 7.

In certain embodiments, the inventive compound is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof.

Some of the foregoing compounds can comprise one or more asymmetric centers, and thus can exist in various isomeric forms, e.g., stereoisomers and/or diastereomers. Thus, inventive compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be in the form of an individual enantiomer, diastereomer, or geometric isomer, or may be in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are enantiopure compounds. In certain other embodiments, mixtures of stereoisomers or diastereomers are provided.

Furthermore, certain compounds, as described herein may have one or more double bonds that can exist as either the Z or E isomer, unless otherwise indicated. The invention additionally encompasses the compounds as individual isomers substantially free of other isomers and alternatively, as mixtures of various isomers, e.g., racemic mixtures of stereoisomers. In addition to the above-mentioned compounds per se, this invention also encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives of these compounds and compositions comprising one or more compounds of the invention and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or additives.

Compounds of the invention may be prepared by crystallization of the compound under different conditions and may exist as one or a combination of polymorphs of the compound forming part of this invention. For example, different polymorphs may be identified and/or prepared using different solvents, or different mixtures of solvents for recrystallization; by performing crystallizations at different temperatures; or by using various modes of cooling, ranging from very fast to very slow cooling during crystallizations. Polymorphs may also be obtained by heating or melting the compound followed by gradual or fast cooling. The presence of polymorphs may be determined by solid probe NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffractogram and/or other techniques. Thus, the present invention encompasses inventive compounds, their derivatives, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing them.

Synthesis of Inventive Compounds

As would be appreciated by one of skill in the art of organic chemistry, the compounds of the invention may be prepared by any number of synthetic routes. In certain embodiments, a compound of formula (I) is prepared via condensation of a hydrazide compound of formula (II) and an aldehyde compound of formula (III) as shown in Scheme 1 below.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of preparing a compound of formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof; wherein:

n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive;

R¹ is

m is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive;

k is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive;

p is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive;

R² is an optionally substituted acyl moiety

R₃ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —SO₂R_(C); —NO₂; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₄ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(D); —C(═O)R_(D); —CO₂R_(D); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(D); —SOR_(D); —SO₂R_(D); —NO₂; —N(R_(D))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(D); or —C(R_(D))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(D) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; and

-   R₅ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or     unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic,     substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched     heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or     unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or     unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or     unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(E); —C(═O)R_(E); —CO₂R_(E); —CN; —SCN;     —SR_(E); —SOR_(E); —SO₂R_(E); —NO₂; —N(R_(E))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(E); or     —C(R_(E))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(E) is independently a     hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic     moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy;     aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino,     heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; -   comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a hydrazide of formula (II):

(ii) providing an aldehyde of formula (III):

and

(iii) reacting a hydrazide of formula (II) with an aldehyde of formula (III) under suitable conditions to provide a compound of formula:

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of reaction conditions may be employed to promote each of the synthetic transformations as depicted in Scheme I; therefore, a wide variety of reaction conditions are envisioned (see generally, March's Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, M. B. Smith and J. March, 5^(th) Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2001; and Comprehensive Organic Transformations, R. C. Larock, 2^(nd) Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1999).

In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed in an organic solvent. In certain embodiments, the organic solvent is a polar aprotic solvent. In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed in dimethylformamide (DMF). In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed at a temperature between about 40° C. to about 80° C., or about 50° C. to about 70° C. In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed at a temperature of about 60° C. In certain embodiments, approximately 1 equivalent of each of the aldehyde and the hydrazide is used. In certain embodiments, approximately 1 equivalent of the aldehyde is used, and approximately 2-5 equivalents of the hydrazide is used in the reaction. In certain embodiments, approximately 1 equivalent of the hydrazide is used, and approximately 2-5 equivalents of the aldehyde is used in the reaction. In certain embodiments, approximately 1 equivalent of the more expensive starting material is used, and multiple equivalents of the less expensive starting are used.

In certain embodiments, the synthetic method is amenable to high-throughput techniques or to techniques commonly used in combinatorial chemistry. Therefore, in certain embodiments, a library of inventive compounds is prepared by using a variety of aldehydes and/or hydrazides in multiple reaction vessels. For example, FIG. 1 shows multiple starting materials that were used in the synthesis of a library of inventive compound.

Methods of Treatment

In general, the compounds of the invention are inhibitors of deacetylase activity. The compounds may inhibit histone deacetylase, tubulin deacetylase, or other deacetylase activity. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDAC) and, as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders modulated by histone deacetylases. For example, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method for inhibiting deacetylase activity in a biological sample or a subject, which method comprises administering to the subject, or contacting the biological sample, an effective amount of an inventive compound or a composition thereof.

In certain embodiments, the deacetylase activity is histone deacetylase activity. In certain embodiments, the compounds specifically inhibit a particular histone deacetylase (HDAC) (e.g., HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4, HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC8, HDAC9, HDAC10, HDAC11) or a class of HDACs (e.g., Class I, II and/or III). In certain embodiments, the compound specifically inhibits HDAC1. In certain embodiments, the compound specifically inhibits HDAC2. In certain embodiments, the compound specifically inhibits HDAC6.

In certain embodiments, the deacetylase activity is tubulin deacetylase activity. In certain embodiments, the compound of the invention is an inhibitor of a tubulin deacetylase (TDAC) and, as such, are useful in the treatment of a disorder or disease modulated by a tubulin deacetylase.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating a proliferative disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the proliferative disease is associated with aberrant histone deacetylase activity and/or is controlled by modulating histone deacetylase activity. In certain embodiments, the proliferative disease is associated with aberrant tubulin deacetylase activity and/or is controlled by modulating tubulin deacetylase activity.

A subject may be any animal. In certain embodiments, the subject is any mammal (e.g., humans, domestic/veterinary/farm animals such as dogs, cats, cows, sheep, etc.). In certain embodiments, the subject is a human (e.g., child, juvenile, adult, male, female). In certain embodiments, the subject is an experimental animal such as a mouse, rat, dog, or non-human primate.

Exemplary proliferative diseases include, but are not limited to, cancer (e.g., glioblastoma, retinoblastoma, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon and rectal cancer, leukemias, lymphoma, lung cancer (including, but not limited to small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer), melanoma and/or other skin cancers, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and other lymphomas, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, bladder cancer, uterine cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, stomach cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancer), benign neoplasms, inflammatory disease, and autoimmune diseases.

In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds are also active against leukemia cells (e.g., leukemia cells and melanoma cells) and thus are useful for the treatment of leukemias (e.g., myeloid, lymphocytic, myelocytic and lymphoblastic leukemias). In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds are useful in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and skin cancers (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, etc.). In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds are useful in the treatment of multiple myeloma. In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds are useful in the treatment of malignant melanoma.

For example, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the cancer is glioblastoma, retinoblastoma, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon and rectal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer (including, but not limited to small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer), melanoma and/or other skin cancers, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and gastric cancer, bladder cancer, uterine cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, stomach cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, or esophageal cancer.

The inventive compounds are also useful in the treatment of other diseases or condition that benefit from inhibition of deacetylation activity (e.g., HDAC or TDAC inhibition), such as certain skin and/or hair conditions (e.g., psoriasis, dermatitis, hair loss, neurofibromatosis, diseases associated with skin pigmentation).

In certain embodiments, the compounds are useful in treating inflammatory diseases of the skin such as psoriasis or dermatitis.

In certain embodiments, the compounds are useful in the treatment of neurofibromatosis.

A therapeutically effective amount of an inventive compound comprises administering an amounts and for such time as is necessary to achieve a desired result. The exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of the disease, the particular anticancer agent, its mode of administration, the desired outcome, and the like.

In certain embodiments of the present invention a “therapeutically effective amount” of the inventive compound or pharmaceutical composition is that amount effective for inhibiting deacetylase activity (e.g., HDAC and/or TDAC activity) in a subject or a biological sample (e.g., in cells). In certain embodiments, a particular deacetylase activity (e.g., HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4, HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC8, HDAC9, HDAC10, HDAC11) is inhibited by about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 95%, or about 99%. In certain embodiments, the inventive compound inhibits HDAC6, and a therapeutically effective amount of the compound inhibits HDAC6 by at least about 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least about 90%.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount of a compound or composition sufficient to inhibit cell proliferation, or refers to a sufficient amount to reduce the effects of the proliferative disease.

In certain embodiments of the present invention a “therapeutically effective amount” of the inventive compound or pharmaceutical composition is that amount effective for reducing or inhibiting the growth of tumor cells and/or killing tumor cells.

For example, in certain embodiments, the compounds are useful in the treatment of baldness based on the discovery that HDAC inhibition (particularly, HDAC6 inhibition) blocks androgen signaling via hsp90. HDAC inhibition has also been shown to inhibit estrogen signaling.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating protozoal infections comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) to a subject in need thereof.

In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds also find use in the prevention of restenosis of blood vessels subject to traumas such as angioplasty and stenting. For example, it is contemplated that the compounds of the invention will be useful as a coating for implanted medical devices, such as tubings, shunts, catheters, artificial implants, pins, electrical implants such as pacemakers, and especially for arterial or venous stents, including balloon-expandable stents. In certain embodiments inventive compounds may be bound to an implantable medical device, or alternatively, may be passively adsorbed to the surface of the implantable device. In certain other embodiments, the inventive compounds may be formulated to be contained within, or, adapted to release by a surgical or medical device or implant, such as, for example, stents, sutures, indwelling catheters, prosthesis, and the like. For example, drugs having antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities have been evaluated as stent coatings, and have shown promise in preventing retenosis (See, for example, Presbitero P. et al., “Drug eluting stents do they make the difference?”, Minerva Cardioangiol, 2002, 50(5):431-442; Ruygrok P. N. et al., “Rapamycin in cardiovascular medicine”, Intern. Med. J., 2003, 33(3):103-109; and Marx S. O. et al., “Bench to bedside: the development of rapamycin and its application to stent restenosis”, Circulation, 2001, 104(8):852-855, each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

Accordingly, without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, Applicant proposes that inventive compounds having antiproliferative effects can be used as stent coatings and/or in stent drug delivery devices, inter alia for the prevention of restenosis or reduction of restenosis rate. Suitable coatings and the general preparation of coated implantable devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,562; 5,886,026; and 5,304,121. The coatings are typically biocompatible polymeric materials such as a hydrogel polymer, polymethyldisiloxane, polycaprolactone, polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polyglycolic acid, ethylene vinyl acetate, and mixtures thereof. The coatings may optionally be further covered by a suitable topcoat of fluorosilicone, polysaccarides, polyethylene glycol, phospholipids, or combinations thereof to impart controlled release characteristics in the composition. A variety of compositions and methods related to stent coating and/or local stent drug delivery for preventing restenosis are known in the art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,517,889; 6,273,913; 6,258,121; 6,251,136; 6,248,127; 6,231,600; 6,203,551; 6,153,252; 6,071,305; 5,891,507; 5,837,313; and published U.S. patent application US2001/0027340, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). For example, stents may be coated with polymer-drug conjugates by dipping the stent in polymer-drug solution or spraying the stent with such a solution. In certain embodiment, suitable materials for the implantable device include biocompatible and nontoxic materials, and may be chosen from the metals such as nickel-titanium alloys, steel, or biocompatible polymers, hydrogels, polyurethanes, polyethylenes, ethylenevinyl acetate copolymers, etc. In certain embodiments, the inventive compound is coated onto a stent for insertion into an artery or vein following balloon angioplasty.

The compounds of this invention or pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof may also be incorporated into compositions for coating implantable medical devices, such as prostheses, artificial valves, vascular grafts, stents and catheters. Accordingly, the present invention, in another aspect, includes a composition for coating an implantable device comprising a compound of the present invention as described generally above, and in classes and subclasses herein, and a carrier suitable for coating said implantable device. In still another aspect, the present invention includes an implantable device coated with a composition comprising a compound of the present invention as described generally above, and in classes and subclasses herein, and a carrier suitable for coating said implantable device.

Within other aspects of the present invention, methods are provided for expanding the lumen of a body passageway, comprising inserting a stent into the passageway, the stent having a generally tubular structure, the surface of the structure being coated with (or otherwise adapted to release) an inventive compound or composition, such that the passageway is expanded. In certain embodiments, the lumen of a body passageway is expanded in order to eliminate a biliary, gastrointestinal, esophageal, tracheal/bronchial, urethral, and/or vascular obstruction.

Methods for eliminating biliary, gastrointestinal, esophageal, tracheal/bronchial, urethral and/or vascular obstructions using stents are known in the art. The skilled practitioner will know how to adapt these methods in practicing the present invention. For example, guidance can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0004209 in paragraphs [0146]-[0155], which paragraphs are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In another aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of the inventive compound is included in the pharmaceutical composition.

It will also be appreciated that certain of the compounds of present invention can exist in free form for treatment, or where appropriate, as a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof. According to the present invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable form includes, but is not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, salts of such esters, or a prodrug or other adduct or derivative of a compound of this invention which upon administration to a subject in need is capable of providing, directly or indirectly, a compound as otherwise described herein, or a metabolite or residue thereof.

As described above, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which, as used herein, includes any and all solvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants, and the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E. W. Martin (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses various carriers used in formulating pharmaceutical compositions and known techniques for the preparation thereof. Except insofar as any conventional carrier medium is incompatible with the compounds of the invention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any other component(s) of the pharmaceutical composition, its use is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatine; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil; safflower oil, sesame oil; olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil; glycols; such as propylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogenfree water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is often desirable to slow the absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension or crystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolution that, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered drug form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the drug in an oil vehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsule matrices of the drug in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of drug to polymer and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include (poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions which are compatible with body tissues.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of this invention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegrating agents such as agar—agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form with one or more excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such solid dosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose, lactose and starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise, as in normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such as magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

The present invention encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable topical formulations of inventive compounds. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable topical formulation”, as used herein, means any formulation which is pharmaceutically acceptable for intradermal administration of a compound of the invention by application of the formulation to the epidermis. In certain embodiments of the invention, the topical formulation comprises a carrier system. Pharmaceutically effective carriers include, but are not limited to, solvents (e.g., alcohols, poly alcohols, water), creams, lotions, ointments, oils, plasters, liposomes, powders, emulsions, microemulsions, and buffered solutions (e.g., hypotonic or buffered saline) or any other carrier known in the art for topically administering pharmaceuticals. A more complete listing of art-known carriers is provided by reference texts that are standard in the art, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th Edition, 1980 and 17th Edition, 1985, both published by Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In certain other embodiments, the topical formulations of the invention may comprise excipients. Any pharmaceutically acceptable excipient known in the art may be used to prepare the inventive pharmaceutically acceptable topical formulations. Examples of excipients that can be included in the topical formulations of the invention include, but are not limited to, preservatives, antioxidants, moisturizers, emollients, buffering agents, solubilizing agents, other penetration agents, skin protectants, surfactants, and propellants, and/or additional therapeutic agents used in combination to the inventive compound. Suitable preservatives include, but are not limited to, alcohols, quaternary amines, organic acids, parabens, and phenols. Suitable antioxidants include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid and its esters, sodium bisulfite, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, tocopherols, and chelating agents like EDTA and citric acid. Suitable moisturizers include, but are not limited to, glycerine, sorbitol, polyethylene glycols, urea, and propylene glycol. Suitable buffering agents for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, citric, hydrochloric, and lactic acid buffers. Suitable solubilizing agents include, but are not limited to, quaternary ammonium chlorides, cyclodextrins, benzyl benzoate, lecithin, and polysorbates. Suitable skin protectants that can be used in the topical formulations of the invention include, but are not limited to, vitamin E oil, allatoin, dimethicone, glycerin, petrolatum, and zinc oxide.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable topical formulations of the invention comprise at least a compound of the invention and a penetration enhancing agent. The choice of topical formulation will depend or several factors, including the condition to be treated, the physicochemical characteristics of the inventive compound and other excipients present, their stability in the formulation, available manufacturing equipment, and costs constraints. As used herein the term “penetration enhancing agent” means an agent capable of transporting a pharmacologically active compound through the stratum corneum and into the epidermis or dermis, preferably, with little or no systemic absorption. A wide variety of compounds have been evaluated as to their effectiveness in enhancing the rate of penetration of drugs through the skin. See, for example, Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers, Maibach H. I. and Smith H. E. (eds.), CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla. (1995), which surveys the use and testing of various skin penetration enhancers, and Buyuktimkin et al., Chemical Means of Transdermal Drug Permeation Enhancement in Transdermal and Topical Drug Delivery Systems, Gosh T. K., Pfister W. R., Yum S. I. (Eds.), Interpharm Press Inc., Buffalo Grove, Ill. (1997). In certain exemplary embodiments, penetration agents for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, triglycerides (e.g., soybean oil), aloe compositions (e.g., aloe-vera gel), ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, octolyphenylpolyethylene glycol, oleic acid, polyethylene glycol 400, propylene glycol, N-decylmethylsulfoxide, fatty acid esters (e.g., isopropyl myristate, methyl laurate, glycerol monooleate, and propylene glycol monooleate), and N-methyl pyrrolidone.

In certain embodiments, the compositions may be in the form of ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. In certain exemplary embodiments, formulations of the compositions according to the invention are creams, which may further contain saturated or unsaturated fatty acids such as stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, palmito-oleic acid, cetyl or oleyl alcohols, stearic acid being particularly preferred. Creams of the invention may also contain a non-ionic surfactant, for example, polyoxy-40-stearate. In certain embodiments, the active component is admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required. Ophthalmic formulation, eardrops, and eye drops are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the present invention contemplates the use of transdermal patches, which have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms are made by dissolving or dispensing the compound in the proper medium. As discussed above, penetration enhancing agents can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

The compounds of the invention are preferably formulated in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. The expression “dosage unit form” as used herein refers to a physically discrete unit of therapeutic agent appropriate for the subject to be treated. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the compounds and compositions of the present invention will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specific therapeutically effective dose level for any particular subject or organism will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of the specific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the subject; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or coincidental with the specific compound employed; and like factors well known in the medical arts (see, for example, Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Tenth Edition, A. Gilman, J. Hardman and L. Limbird, eds., McGraw-Hill Press, 155-173, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

Furthermore, after formulation with an appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable excipient in a desired dosage, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be administered to humans and other animals orally, rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, intravenously, intrarterially, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, topically (as by powders, ointments, creams or drops), bucally, as an oral or nasal spray, or the like, depending on the severity of the infection being treated. In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds is administered orally or intravenously.

In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention may be administered at dosage levels of about 0.001 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg, from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, or from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg of subject body weight per day, one or more times a day, to obtain the desired therapeutic effect. It will also be appreciated that dosages smaller than 0.001 mg/kg or greater than 50 mg/kg (for example 50-100 mg/kg) can be administered to a subject.

It will also be appreciated that the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be formulated and employed in combination therapies, that is, the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated with or administered concurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, one or more other desired therapeutics or medical procedures. The particular combination of therapies (therapeutics or procedures) to employ in a combination regimen will take into account compatibility of the desired therapeutics and/or procedures and the desired therapeutic effect to be achieved. It will also be appreciated that the therapies employed may achieve a desired effect for the same disorder (for example, an inventive compound may be administered concurrently with another immunomodulatory agent, anticancer agent or agent useful for the treatment of psoriasis), or they may achieve different effects (e.g., control of any adverse effects).

For example, other therapies or anticancer agents that may be used in combination with the inventive compounds of the present invention include surgery, radiotherapy (in but a few examples, γ-radiation, neutron beam radiotherapy, electron beam radiotherapy, proton therapy, brachytherapy, and systemic radioactive isotopes, to name a few), endocrine therapy, biologic response modifiers (interferons, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to name a few), hyperthermia and cryotherapy, agents to attenuate any adverse effects (e.g., antiemetics), and other approved chemotherapeutic drugs, including, but not limited to, alkylating drugs (mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, Cyclophosphamide, Melphalan, Ifosfamide), antimetabolites (Methotrexate), purine antagonists and pyrimidine antagonists (6-Mercaptopurine, 5-Fluorouracil, Cytarabile, Gemcitabine), spindle poisons (Vinblastine, Vincristine, Vinorelbine, Paclitaxel), podophyllotoxins (Etoposide, Irinotecan, Topotecan), antibiotics (Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Mitomycin), nitrosoureas (Carmustine, Lomustine), inorganic ions (Cisplatin, Carboplatin), enzymes (Asparaginase), and hormones (Tamoxifen, Leuprolide, Flutamide, and Megestrol), to name a few. For a more comprehensive discussion of updated cancer therapies see, The Merck Manual, Seventeenth Ed. 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. See also the National Cancer Institute (CNI) website (www.nci.nih.gov) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website for a list of the FDA approved oncology drugs (www.fda.gov/cder/cancer/druglistframe).

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention further comprise one or more additional therapeutic agents (e.g., chemotherapeutic and/or palliative). For example, additional therapeutic agents for conjoint administration or inclusion in a pharmaceutical composition with a compound of this invention may be an approved chemotherapeutic agent and/or pallative agent, or it may be any one of a number of agents undergoing approval in the Food and Drug Administration. For purposes of the invention, the term “palliative” refers to treatment that is focused on the relief of symptoms of a disease and/or side effects of a therapeutic regimen, but is not curative. For example, palliative treatment encompasses painkillers, antinausea medications and anti-sickness drugs. In addition, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can all be used palliatively (that is, to reduce symptoms without going for cure; e.g., for shrinking tumors and reducing pressure, bleeding, pain and other symptoms of cancer).

Kits

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides kits for conveniently and effectively carrying out the methods in accordance with the present invention. In general, the pack or kit comprises one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. Optionally associated with such container(s) can be instructions for administration, including dosage recommendations, and/or a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceutical products, wherein the notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use or sale for human administration. A kit may include multiple dosage units. For example, a kit may include dosage units for multiple days, weeks, or months. In certain embodiments, the kit include a week-supply of the inventive compound or composition thereof. In certain embodiments, the kit include a month-supply of the inventive compound or composition thereof.

Research Uses and Assays

The inventive compounds are also useful as tools to probe biological function. For example, the inventive compounds may be used to probe biological pathways that depend on deacetylase (e.g., HDAC or TDAC) activity. In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds may be used to probe gene expression. In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds may be used to probe autophagy.

For example, according to the present invention, the inventive compounds may be assayed in any of the available assays known in the art for identifying compounds having antiprotozoal, HDAC inhibitory, hair growth, androgen signalling inhibitory, estogen signaling inhibitory, autophagy inhibitory, and/or antiproliferative activity. For example, the assay may be cellular or non-cellular, in vivo or in vitro, high- or low-throughput format, etc.

Thus, in one aspect, compounds of this invention which are of particular interest include those which: exhibit HDAC-inhibitory activity; exhibit HDAC Class I inhibitory activity (e.g., HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC8); exhibit HDAC Class II inhibitory activity (e.g., HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC9a, HDAC9b, HDRP/HDAC9c, HDAC10); exhibit HDAC Class III inhibitory activity; exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC1 (Genbank Accession No. NP_(—)004955, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC2 (Genbank Accession No. NP_(—)001518, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC3 (Genbank Accession No. O15739, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC4 (Genbank Accession No. AAD29046, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC5 (Genbank Accession No. NP_(—)005465, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC6 (Genbank Accession No. NP_(—)006035, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC7 (Genbank Accession No. AAP63491, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC8 (Genbank Accession No. AAF73428, NM_(—)018486, AF245664, AF230097, each of which is incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC9 (Genbank Accession No. NM_(—)178425, NM_(—)178423, NM_(—)058176, NM_(—)014707, BC111735, NM_(—)058177, each of which is incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC10 (Genbank Accession No. NM_(—)032019, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit HDAC11 (Genbank Accession No. BC009676, incorporated herein by reference); exhibit the ability to inhibit tubulin deacetylation (TDAC); exhibit the ability to modulate the glucose-sensitive subset of genes downstream of Ure2p; exhibit cytotoxic or growth inhibitory effect on cancer cell lines maintained in vitro or in animal studies using a scientifically acceptable cancer cell xenograft model; and/or exhibit a therapeutic profile (e.g., optimum safety and curative effect) that is superior to existing chemotherapeutic agents.

As detailed in the exemplification herein, in assays to determine the ability of compounds to inhibit cancer cell growth certain inventive compounds may exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦100 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦50 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦40 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦30 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦20 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦10 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦7.5 μM. In certain embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦5 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦2.5 μM. In certain embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦1 μM. In certain embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦0.75 μM. In certain embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦0.5 μM. In certain embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦0.25 μM. In certain embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦0.1 μM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦75 nM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦50 nM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦25 nM. In certain other embodiments, inventive compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ≦10 nM. In other embodiments, exemplary compounds exhibited IC₅₀ values ≦7.5 nM. In other embodiments, exemplary compounds exhibited IC₅₀ values ≦5 nM.

EXAMPLES

The representative examples which follow are intended to help illustrate the invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be construed to, limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention and many further embodiments thereof, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the full contents of this document, including the examples which follow and the references to the scientific and patent literature cited herein. It should further be appreciated that, unless otherwise indicated, the entire contents of each of the references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference to help illustrate the state of the art. The following examples contain important additional information, exemplification and guidance which can be adapted to the practice of this invention in its various embodiments and the equivalents thereof.

Example 1 Synthesis of Exemplary Compounds for Use as HDAC Inhibitors

General Description of Synthetic Methods

The various references cited herein provide helpful background information on preparing compounds similar to the inventive compounds described herein or relevant intermediates, as well as information on formulation, uses, and administration of such compounds which may be of interest.

Moreover, the practitioner is directed to the specific guidance and examples provided in this document relating to various exemplary compounds and intermediates thereof.

The compounds of this invention and their preparation can be understood further by the examples that illustrate some of the processes by which these compounds are prepared or used. It will be appreciated, however, that these examples do not limit the invention. Variations of the invention, now known or further developed, are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention as described herein and as hereinafter claimed.

According to the present invention, any available techniques can be used to make or prepare the inventive compounds or compositions including them. For example, a variety of a variety combinatorial techniques, parallel synthesis and/or solid phase synthetic methods such as those discussed in detail below may be used. Alternatively or additionally, the inventive compounds may be prepared using any of a variety of solution phase synthetic methods known in the art.

It will be appreciated as described below, that a variety of inventive compounds can be synthesized according to the methods described herein. The starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compounds are either available from commercial suppliers such as Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, Wis.), Bachem (Torrance, Calif.), Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.), or are prepared by methods well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art following procedures described in such references as Fieser and Fieser 1991, Reagents for Organic Synthesis, vols. 1-17, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1991; Rodd 1989, Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, vols. 1-5 and supps, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989; Organic Reactions, vols. 1-40, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1991; March 2001, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 5th ed. John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.; and Larock 1990, Comprehensive Organic Transformations: A Guide to Functional Group Preparations, 2^(nd) ed. VCH Publishers. These schemes are merely illustrative of some methods by which the compounds of this invention can be synthesized, and various modifications to these schemes can be made and will be suggested to a person of ordinary skill in the art having regard to this disclosure.

The starting materials, intermediates, and compounds of this invention may be isolated and purified using conventional techniques, including filtration, distillation, crystallization, chromatography, and the like. They may be characterized using conventional methods, including physical constants and spectral data.

Unless otherwise indicated, starting materials are either commercially available or readily accessibly through laboratory synthesis by anyone reasonably familiar with the art. Described generally below, are procedures and general guidance for the synthesis of compounds as described generally and in subclasses and species herein.

Representative Procedure for the Synthesis of Biasing Agents

To a solution of dimethyl ester (300 mmol) in methanol (150 mL) was added hydrazine (4.5 mL, 150 mmol) at room temperature. The solution was stirred at 60° C. for 48 hours. The organic solvent was evaporated under vacuum. The resulting white solid was suspended in pet ether (100 mL). The solid was filtrated and washed with pet ether (3×200 mL) to remove excess starting materials. Flash chromatography on a short silica gel column eluting with 5% methanol in methylene chloride afforded the monomethyl ester monohydrazide as white solid.

To a solution of monomethyl ester monohydrazide (91.6 mmol) in methanol (100 mL) was added a solution of sodium hydroxide (14.65 g, 366.3 mmol) in methanol followed by a solution of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (12.73 g, 183.2 mmol) in methanol. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Another batch of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (12.73 g, 183.2 mmol) in methanol was added to the reaction to quench the excess base. The suspension in methanol was heated to reflux before filtration. The solid was washed with 500 mL of hot ethanol. The combined liquid was evaporated under vacuum. The resulting solid was recrystallized in ethanol twice to afford pure products.

Representative Procedure for the Coupling of Acylhydrazide and Aldehydes

25 μL of aldehyde solution (0.2 M in DMSO) was added into 25 μL of hydrazide solution (0.2 M in DMSO). (25 mol % of HOAc is necessary when the aldehydes is basic.) The mixture was diluted with 450 μL DMSO after heating at 75° C. for 12 hours. The resulting solution (10 mM) was heated again at 75° C. for 12 hours. The purity of the acylhydrazone was analyzed by LCMS and predominantly one peak was observed for almost all compounds.

Example 2 Pharmacokinetics of WT-161

WT-III-161 (Wt: 458.55 for free base) was dissolved in 25% DMSO, 25% Cremophor EL, and 50% saline to yield final concentration at 2 mg/mL for intravenous administration (pH=6-7). The solution was clear and light yellow, and the concentration of WT-III-161 in it was confirmed by HPLC method with an accuracy of 116.92% (Table I).

TABLE I Experimental Design Target Target No. of Dose Target Dose Dose Male Test Article Dose Level* Concentration* Volume Mice Formulation Route (mg/kg) (mg/mL) (mL/kg) 36 DMSO/Cremophor/ IV 5 2 2.5 Saline *The mice were fasted overnight for oral administration.

Study Design. Study design, animal selection, handling and treatment were in accordance with the Shanghai Medicilon Inc. study protocol (Shanghai Medicilon Inc Study No. BRD0701). Male CD0-1 mice (body weight 23 g to 27 g) were used in this study. Before the pharmacokinetic studies, animals were randomly assigned to the treatment groups (3 animals per timepoint). The treatment schedule is shown in Table 1. Ten additional mice were used to collect plasma for calibration curves.

Blood samples were collected by retro-orbital puncture at pre-dose and 0.033, 0.083, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 24 hours post-dose, and immediately after which the heart spleen, liver and brain tissues were harvested. All the samples and the dose formulation were stored at −20° C. until bioanalysis or transportation to sponsor.

The concentrations of WT-161 in plasma were determined using a high pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.

LC-MS/NIS Apparatus. The LC system comprised an Aligent liquid chromatograph equipped with an isocratic pump (1100 series), an autosampler (1100 series) and a degasser (1100 series). Mass spectrometric analysis was performed using an API3000 (triple quadrupole) instrument from AB Inc (Canada) with an ESI interface. The data acquisition and control system were created using Analyst 1.4 software from ABI Inc. Acetonitrile and methanol were HPLC grade. All other solvents and chemicals were analytical grade or better.

Pharmacokinetic software DAS 2.0 (Gaosi Data Analysis Inc., Wuhn, China) was used.

LC-MS/NIS Conditions.

Chromatographic conditions: ColumnL Synergi Fusion-RP, 4 μm (150 mm×2.0 mm); Mobile phase: 0.1% formic acid:methanol:acetonitrile (5:90:5); Elution rate: 350 μL/min; Column temperature: 25° C.; Injection volume: 2 μL.

Mass Spectrometry Conditions.

Scan type: positive MRM; Ion Source: Turbo spray; Ionization mode: ESI; Nebulize gas: 8 L/min; Curtain gas: 8 L/min; Collision gas: 4 L/min; Ionspray voltage: 5000 V; Temperature: 500° C.

Other Parameters.

Dell DP FP EP CE CXP Drug name Q1 Q3 time (v) (v) (v) (v) (v) WT-161 459.2 271.2 200 ms 80 200 10 36.3 15 Quetiapine 384.2 253.2 200 ms 50 200 10 31.0 15

Preparation of standard stock solution: A stock solution of WT-161 was prepared by dissolving the drug in methanol to yield a final concentration of 200 μg/mL. An aliquot of this solution was diluted using methanol to prepare a series of working solutions of 5, 2.5, 0.5, 0.25, 0.05, and 0.025 μg/mL. Six calibration standard samples containing 1000, 500, 100, 50, 10, and 5 ng/mL were obtained by adding 20 μL working solution prepared above into six Eppendorff tubes containing 100 μL blank plasma. QC samples were prepared by spiking 100 uL blank plasma with 20 μL working solutions of 4, 1, and 0.04 μg/mL to yield final concentration of 800, 200 and 8 ng/mL (see Table II).

TABLE II Preparation of Calibration Standard Solution and QC Samples Working Blank Amount (ng) of test solution Final Conc. plasma article added (dissolved conc. Final volume (ng · mL) in Sample (μL) in 20 μL methanol)* (ng/mL) of plasma (μL) plasma* Calibration solutions C-1 100 100 5,000 100 1,000 C-2 100 50 2,500 100 500 C-3 100 10 500 100 100 C-4 100 5 250 100 50 C-5 100 1 50 100 10 C-6 100 0.5 25 100 5 QC Samples QCH 100 80 4,000 100 800 QCM 100 20 1,000 100 200 QCL 100 0.8 40 100 8 Plasma samples from treated mice From 100 20 μL methanol* 100 To be mouse determined from calibration curve *20 μL, was counted as extraction solvent, not as plasma. Note: The QC samples were prepared in duplicate.

Stock solutions of Quetiapine (internal standard, IS) were prepared by dissolving the drug in methanol to a final concentration of 200 μg/mL. This solution was diluted with methanol to yield a final concentration of 50 ng/mL.

Plasma Sample Process. Plasma samples (0.1 mL) were transferred to Eppendorff tubes, then 20 μL of methanol, 500 μL IS solutions (50 ng/mL) were added to it. After vortexing for 1 minute and centrifuging for 5 min at 15,000 rpm, 2 μL of supernatant was injected onto the LC-MS/MS.

Method Validation Results. The chromatographic conditions showed that the blank plasma had no interference to the WT-161 and IS determination.

Calibration Curve. The analytical curves were constructed using six nonzero standards ranging from 5 to 1000 ng/mL. A blank sample (matrix sample processed without internal standard) was used to exclude contamination. The linear regression analysis of WT-161 was performed by plotting the peak area ratio (y) against the WT-161 concentration (x) in ng/mL. The linearity of the relationship between peak area ratio and concentration was demonstrated by the correlation coefficients (R) obtained for the linear regression of WT-161.

The intra-assay accuracy result (ranged from 99.86% to 121.96%) showed that the method is reliable (Tables 1-2 below).

TABLE 1 Dose Solution Analysis Result by HPLC Nominal Conc. Cacul. Conc. Dose level (mg/mL) (mg/mL) Accuracy % IV-2 mg/mL 2 2.34 116.92

TABLE 2 Intra-assay Precision and Accuracy Conc. (ng/mL) & Accuracy (%) Replicates 8 200 800 1 9.76 (121.96) 199.73 (99.86)  888.73 (111.09) 2 8.97 (112.13) 231.80 (115.90) 928.21 (116.03) Mean 9.36 (117.04) 215.76 (107.88) 908.47 (113.56)

Pharmacokinetic Data Analysis. The concentration in plasma below the limit of quantitation (LOQ=5 ng/mL) were designated as zero. The pharmacokinetic data analysis was performed using noncompartmental analysis modules in DAS 2.0.

Results and Discussion.

Pharmacokinetic after Intravenous Injection. The individual and average concentration-time data for intravenously dosed group are listed in Table 3 and graphically represented in FIG. 8. Selected noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters following an IV dose are listed in Table 4.

Following an IV bolus injection of WT-161 at 5 mg/kg, the value of systemic clearance was 1.64 L/hr/kg, which corresponded to 30.37% of mouse hepatic blood flow (5.40 L/hr/kg). The value of half-life (T_(1/2)) for WT-161 was 1.41 hr.

The value of C_(max) (at 2 minutes after dosing) following IV administration at a nominal dose of 5 mg/kg was 1866.3 μg/mL. The value of AUC (_(0-∞)) for WT-161 was 3049.28 hr*ug/L.

WT-161 distributes well in tissues. The volume of distribution at terminal phase was 3.33 L/kg, which corresponded to 4.56 fold of the total body water (0.73 L/kg) in the mice.

TABLE 3 Plasma Concentration of WT-161 in CD-1 Mice Following Intravenous Administration at 5 mg/kg Concentration in plasma (ng/mL) Time (hr) 1 2 3 Mean S.D 0 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 0.033 13606.91 27492.70 14890.74 18663.45 7673.25 0.083 9326.17 6082.36 8591.87 8000.13 1700.94 0.25 2193.58 1762.06 1336.63 1764.09 428.48 0.5 933.82 780.44 1152.36 955.54 186.91 1 122.63 57.74 263.97 148.11 105.45 2 83.62 87.92 114.00 95.18 16.44 3 25.12 9.38 14.37 16.29 8.05 4 74.08 20.79 7.37 34.08 35.28 6 5.87 BLQ 6.57 4.15 3.61 8 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 24 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA BLQ: Below the limit of quantitation SD: Standard deviation NA: Not applicable, or fail to collect samples

TABLE 4 Selected Pharmacokinetics Parameters of WT-III-161 in CD-1 Mice Following Intravenous Administration at 5 mg/kg CL_(Z) AUC_((0-t)) AUC_((0-∞)) MRT_((0-∞)) T_(1/2z) T_(max) V_(Z) L/hr/ C_(max) μg/L*hr μg/L*hr hr hr hr L/kg kg μg/L 3023.25 3049.28 0.33 1.41 0.03 3.33 1.64 18663.45 NA: Not applicable

Example 3 General Method of Determining of in vivo Activity against Tumors

Although a variety of methods can be utilized, one exemplary method by which the in vivo activity of the inventive compounds is determined is by subcutaneously transplanting a desired tumor mass in mice. Drug treatment is then initiated when tumor mass reaches approximately 100 mm³ after transplantation of the tumor mass. A suitable composition is then administered to the mice, preferably in saline and also preferably administered once a day at doses of 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, although it will be appreciated that other doses can also be administered. Body weight and tumor size are then measured daily and changes in percent ratio to initial values are plotted. In cases where the transplanted tumor ulcerates, the weight loss exceeds 25-30% of control weight loss, the tumor weight reaches 10% of the body weight of the cancer-bearing mouse, or the cancer-bearing mouse is dying, the animal is sacrificed in accordance with guidelines for animal welfare.

Example 4 General Biological Assay Procedures

Cell culture and Transfections. TAg-Jurkat cells were transfected by electroporation with 5 μg of FLAG-epitope-tagged pBJ5 constructs for expression of recombinant proteins. Cells were harvested 48 h posttransfection.

HDAC assays. [³H]Acetate-incorporated histones were isolated from butyrate-treated HeLa cells by hydroxyapatite chromatography (as described in Tong, et al. Nature 1997, 395, 917-921). Immunoprecipitates were incubated with 1.4 μg (10,000 dpm) histones for 3 h at 37° C. HDAC activity was determined by scintillation counting of the ethyl acetate-soluble [³H]-acetic acid (as described in Taunton, et al., Science 1996, 272, 408-411). Compounds were added in DMSO such that final assay concentrations were 1% DMSO. IC₅₀s were calculated using Prism 3.0 software. Curve fitting was done without constraints using the program's Sigmoidal-Dose Response parameters. All data points were acquired in duplicate and IC50s are calculated from the composite results of at least two separate experiments.

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula (I):

wherein n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; m is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive; k is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive; p is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive; R₂ is an optionally substituted acyl moiety R₃ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —SO₂R_(C); —NO₂; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; R₄ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(D); —C(═O)R_(D); —CO₂R_(D); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(D); —SOR_(D); —SO₂R_(D); —NO₂; —N(R_(D))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(D); or —C(R_(D))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(D) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; R₅ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(E); —C(═O)R_(E); —CO₂R_(E); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(E); —SOR_(E); —SO₂R_(E); —NO₂; —N(R_(E))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(E); or —C(R_(E))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(E) is independently a hydrogen, a protecting group, an aliphatic moiety, a heteroaliphatic moiety, an acyl moiety; an aryl moiety; a heteroaryl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; and pharmaceutically acceptable forms thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein n is 4 to 7, inclusive.
 3. The compound according to claim 2, wherein n is
 6. 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein m is 0, 1, or
 2. 5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein p is 0, 1, or
 2. 6. The compound according to claim 1, wherein k is 0, 1, or
 2. 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein the sum of m, p, and k is
 0. 8. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R₂ is —C(═O)R_(B), wherein R_(B) is selected from —OR′ or —N(R″)₂, wherein R′ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl moiety, and wherein R″ is hydrogen, —OH, an optionally substituted aryl moiety, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl moiety.
 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein R₂ is —CO₂H.
 10. The compound of claim 8, wherein R_(B) is —OR′; and R′ is an optionally substituted alkyl.
 11. The compound of claim 10, wherein R′ is —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CH₂CH₃, or —CH(CH₃)₂.
 12. The compound of claim 8, wherein R^(B) is selected from —NHR″, and wherein R″ is selected from —OH, optionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted heteroaryl.
 13. The compound of claim 12, wherein R″ is —OH.
 14. The compound of claim 12, wherein R″ is an optionally substituted aryl moiety.
 15. The compound of claim 14, wherein the aryl moiety is of the structure:


16. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein n is 4, 5, 6, or 7; and pharmaceutically acceptable forms thereof.
 17. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 19. A method of inhibiting a deacetylase activity, the method comprising steps of contacting a deacetylase with a compound of claim
 1. 